Sandi Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandi Jackson
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2007 portrait of Jackson
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| Member of the Chicago City Council from the 7th ward |
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| In office May 21, 2007 – January 15, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Darcel Beavers |
| Succeeded by | Natashia Holmes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sandra Lee Stevens
September 14, 1963 Kittery, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Bowling Green State University (BA) Georgetown University University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (JD) |
| Criminal details | |
| Criminal status | Released |
| Criminal charge | Filing of False Tax Returns – Title 26, U.S.C., Sec. 7206 |
| Penalty | 12 months in federal prison |
Sandra Lee Jackson (née Stevens; born September 14, 1963) is an American politician. She was a member of the Chicago City Council, serving as an alderman for the 7th ward. An alderman is like a city council member who helps make decisions for a specific area, or "ward," in a city.
Jackson was elected to this role in 2007. She took over from Darcel A. Beavers. Jackson left the Chicago City Council on January 15, 2013.
She is the former wife of Jesse Jackson Jr., who was a U.S. Congressman. Her political career was sometimes featured in national news. Jackson also worked as a political consultant for many years through her company, J. Donatella & Associates.
Contents
About Sandi Jackson's Life
Early Life and Education
Sandi Jackson was born in Kittery, Maine. She grew up in Akron, Ohio, and went to Buchtel High School there. Her mother, Sarah Stevens, worked hard at three jobs to support Sandi and her two siblings. Sandi helped her mother clean homes to pay for her college education.
She attended Bowling Green State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1985. Later, she studied law at Georgetown University Law Center and then at the University of Illinois College of Law, earning her law degree in 1992.
Family and Homes
Sandi Jackson married Jesse Jackson Jr. on June 1, 1991. They had two children: Jessica Donatella Jackson, born in 2000, and Jesse Louis Jackson, III, born in 2003.
The Jackson family had two homes. One was in Chicago, in the South Shore area. This home was important for elections. They also had a home in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., which was their main family home when Jesse Jackson Jr. was serving in Congress.
In 2016, her husband filed for divorce, and their divorce was finalized in 2018.
Sandi Jackson's Political Career
Early Experience in Politics
Before becoming an alderman, Sandi Jackson had a lot of experience in politics. She worked as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland. After the 1988 Democratic National Convention, she joined the team of Michael Dukakis, who was running for president.
Jackson also held several other important roles. She was the Deputy Director of Training for the Democratic National Committee. She also worked as the Vice President of Congressional and External Affairs for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. This position was given to her by President Bill Clinton. She also managed and advised many political campaigns.
The 2007 Election Campaign
In 2006, Sandi Jackson decided to run for the 7th ward alderman seat in Chicago. This was a big decision because it meant she would be running against Darcel Beavers, whose father, William Beavers, had previously held the seat.
Her husband, Jesse Jackson Jr., supported her campaign. He even used some of his own campaign resources to help her, like putting up billboards with her picture. Sandi Jackson focused her campaign on important issues for her ward, such as improving the economy, education, and public safety. She also talked about developing the lakefront area.
Election Results
The election for the 7th ward alderman took place on February 27, 2007. Sandi Jackson won the election with 56.74% of the votes. Darcel Beavers received 33.50%. Sandi Jackson was one of several new aldermen who won seats in that election.
As an Alderman
The city of Chicago has 50 wards, and each ward has an alderman who represents it in the Chicago City Council. The 7th ward, which Sandi Jackson represented, includes parts of the South Shore, South Chicago, Calumet Heights, and South Deering areas.
When she started her term in May 2007, Sandi Jackson said her main goal was to help her ward grow economically. One of her big ideas was to redevelop a large former steel mill site into a new lakefront community with homes, shops, and parks.
Jackson often spoke out on important city issues. She was concerned about how contracts were given out for the O'Hare Airport expansion project, wanting to ensure fair opportunities for all businesses. She also voted against some of Mayor Daley's proposals, like a property tax increase and a real estate transfer tax increase.
She also raised concerns about new fees charged by American Airlines for checked luggage, saying they were unfair to regular travelers. Jackson believed in transparency in city government and supported giving more power to the city's Inspector General to investigate city hiring practices.
Other Political Roles
In addition to her role as alderman, Sandi Jackson also became the 7th ward Democratic Committeeman in 2008. This position involves helping to choose people for political jobs in the ward. She won this election against William Beavers by a large margin.
She continued her work as a political consultant through her firm, J. Donatella & Associates. She advised and managed campaigns for several other Democratic politicians.
Images for kids
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2007 portrait of Jackson
